‘Upped the game’: OPS superintendent emphasizing science in her first year leading district

Wendy Duvall is midway through her first school year as superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools.

She said the transition into her new position couldn’t have gone smoother, thanks to the staff she has around her.

“I absolutely love it; I love the people I work with,” Duvall said. “I have the right leaders in the right positions, and I think that’s key. A lot of superintendents get to come in and pick someone to lead with them, like an assistant superintendent, and after I met the chiefs during my interview process, I knew that I had the right people on the bus and that I did not need to hire a position to come in. It’s been amazing.

“I think the culture of the system helps any newcomer come in, feel comfortable. I have been blessed with an amazing leadership team that understands their roles, their responsibilities, and that makes the transition easy as you’re coming in as a new leader. I am particularly excited about the curriculum right now.”

Duvall said OPS has three core subjects that are classified as high-quality instructional resources (HQIRs) by the Kentucky Department of Education. HQIRs can help teachers improve their knowledge and provide students with engaging resources.

“We have been able to implement them, and the important part is we’re able to monitor them,” she said. “So we’re doing learning walks at the schools, giving feedback to the principals so that they have different sets of eyes. Sometimes when you’re in a classroom on a daily basis, you may not see what a new person coming in may see. So it’s just to help our schools get better.”

Duvall said the biggest change she has made to the school district’s curriculum is placing a greater emphasis on teaching science at a younger age, with instruction now starting in kindergarten. A focus was placed on purchasing Amplify Science, a curriculum that blends hands-on investigations, literacy-rich activities and interactive digital tools to empower students to think, read, write and argue like reach scientists.

“This is the first time OPS has had science walkthroughs, but now we’re making sure that science is being taught from kindergarten all the way through,” Duvall said. “Sometimes science in the elementary schools, it could get a little lost. But with our science walkthroughs, we’re able to make sure that we’re trying to close the gap, because when science is not tested every year, sometimes it does get put on the back burner, and with this curriculum, it’s ensuring that kindergarten teachers are teaching it and it goes all the way through the middle school.”

Duvall said science was her major push because a lot of other quality teaching techniques were already in place, including three tests given annually to determine not only how much students are learning, but also if it’s being taught at the correct pace.

The tests “let students test their growth in their reading vocabulary, fluency and comprehension, as well as their math skills, so that we know not only if our pacing is correct and we’re on target, but that we’re meeting the goals set by the state for each grade level to meet before they test,” she said. “Those things for reading and math were already in place. By adding science, we just upped the game.

“If you look at science scores across the state, they are not something to be proud of. We as leaders have to say science is important because technology, all of the fields use science now, and it’s so important for kids to have that as part of their curriculum and a strong influence that we have, as far as in the classroom, to make it happen.”

Duvall has been impressed with the number of opportunities students have had to learn about real-world situations.

She said the civics panel Owensboro Innovation Academy hosted with local and state officials was an excellent event.

“It was very eye-opening, and their questions were very thoughtful, so I was thankful for that,” said Duvall, who is also excited about OPS having just launched a workwear/tool drive for its carpentry and masonry programs. “We’re hoping to get as many people as possible to donate items that some of our students need to be successful on that first job. Tools are expensive. If anyone has any tools and/or carpentry or masonry or clothing, different things like that, that you feel that you could donate to OHS, it’s just going to help out our students and their first job opportunities.”

Duvall said she has also been inspired by the community’s involvement in the school district. She noted Shoe Sensation partnered with the Professional Bull Riders to provide free shoes for all students at Cravens, Estes and Foust elementary schools.

“It was absolutely amazing,” she said. “I’m not sure I’ve seen that in any district I’ve worked in before. And it was so neat. The smiles you could see on their face. They got to select the shoes; it wasn’t just a pair of shoes handed to them. They got to shop within their size range.”

Duvall also noted the impact the first Women in the Trades event had on female students at OHS. It was hosted by the Green River Building Industry Association.

“It was absolutely amazing for girls to see that you can be successful in a hands-on construction career,” she said, “whether it’s design, building or architecture, different things like that.”

Duvall said it’s important she be seen throughout the district. She visits every school every week. She also is thankful that OPS’ board of education meets at schools for its board luncheons.

“They can have lunch with the students after the meeting if they choose to eat in the cafeteria,” she said. “I think that’s important for not only teachers, but for students to see them in the building.”

Duvall said she doesn’t anticipate many more changes being implemented this school year. She instead wants to focus on doing what they’re doing the absolute best they can.

“I think we are on the right path with what we started the first semester,” she said. “I think it’s imperative to hold steady to see if what you implemented at the beginning of the year is going to hold true, and allow us to grow students academically and socially. We have an amazing counseling setup for all of our students.

“We have counselors, and we have companies that come in to make sure all of the mental health needs are met for students so that they can be successful in school.”

EMEA Tribune is not involved in this news article, it is taken from our partners and or from the News Agencies. Copyright and Credit go to the News Agencies, email news@emeatribune.com Follow our WhatsApp verified Channel